Sermons on Hard Things:

Sermon # 20 - A Repentant Heart Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Oct 25, 2024

Jonah was brought to the depths and after being battered in the belly of a big fish, Jonah repented and turned back to God. Rebellion is detrimental to us and only those who repent and get back to God can fulfill His purposes for their lives.

For this study and meditation we will read, Jonah 1:17, “When Jonah fell into the sea, the LORD chose a very big fish to swallow Jonah. He was in the stomach of the fish for three days and three nights.” (ERV) When Jonah disobeyed God, and voyaged in the opposite direction to the place God bid him ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:17, Jonah 2:1, Psalm 119:144, Judges 16:21, Judges 16:27, Luke 15:15-17, Luke 15:13, Proverbs 20:20-21, Judges 16:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Consider Your Strength Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Feb 15, 2010

It’s a wonderful thing when people finally decide to obey God and get busy doing the work He’s called them to do. But there’s always a problem when we decide to get to work, isn’t there? The problem is not necessarily that work’s hard. Most people don’t m

Week before last, we started looking at this little book of Haggai. And we saw how the Jewish remnant had been in exile in Babylon for many years. The temple had been destroyed, Jerusalem had been destroyed, and they were far away from home. But after a period of time, God allowed them to come ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 2:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Lord Build Me In Hope Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Apr 2, 2021

Let me ask you this question: Have you decided to live? Have you truly embraced your own life? Or have you lost hope? Life can be really hard sometimes. And crazy things happen. We wonder if we can keep going. But I’m telling you today that if you’re here, then it’s not over yet.

“The school system in a large city had a program to help children keep up with their school work during stays in the city's hospitals. One day a teacher who was assigned to the program received a routine call asking her to visit a particular child. She took the child's name and room number ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-20

Denomination: Salvation Army

7 Reasons For King Saul’s Downfall Series

Contributed by Sam Jo on Oct 20, 2024

King Saul, the man who started off so well but fell off so hard, it’s like he tripped on his own crown! Saul's story is a classic example of how things can go wrong when we stop listening to God. He had so much potential, yet he ended up as a cautionary tale.

Today, we’re going to talk about King Saul, the man who started off so well but fell off so hard, it’s like he tripped on his own crown! Saul's story is a classic example of how things can go wrong when we stop listening to God. He had so much potential, yet he ended up as a cautionary tale. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:13

Denomination: Lutheran

So Familiar We Almost Miss It

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 6, 2001

People & places & things - all very common & ordinary. And yet, God is able to take the ordinary things of life & do wonderful things with them.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2015) TEXT: Luke 2:1-20 We begin our Christmas message this morning with Luke 2:6-20. "While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, & she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in strips ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Culture Of Vulgarity

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 24, 2025

Christians must turn from embracing the things of this world, deliberately choosing to seek the things that are above.

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” [1] Since the fall of our first parents, for as long as mankind has existed, vulgarity has plagued the race. What do I mean when I use the term “vulgar?” The ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:5

Denomination: Baptist

Give Thanks

Contributed by Roger Roark on Mar 14, 2016

Thanking God for all things.

The Bible tells us to give thanks Charles Dickens said,, we should set aside one day a year to complain, and give thanks 364 Turn to 1 chronicles 16:7-12,,,,, key verse 8 why give thanks? Psalm 106:1 106 Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:7-9

Denomination: Baptist

Three Dark Moments Of Jesus' Life: The Falling Away, The Garden, And The Betrayal: Sunset, Early Night, And Deep Night Series

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Nov 4, 2023

“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’”

What was your darkest moment in life? When did you hit a sort of rock bottom? I can think a few of moments in my life. I remember when I was 17 years old, I was downstairs in my parents basement. My parents had just split up. I had been bullied a lot in school, until I started doing drugs and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:27, Mark 14:48-52

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Double-Anointing

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Jan 7, 2015

How did Elisha receive the double portion? He asked for it. He was totally focused, committed and sold out to it. And, he received it! How bad do you want it? Where are you in your spiritual journey today? Are you hard after God?

Opening illustration: In 1937, missionaries were forced to leave southern Ethiopia because of World War II. They had reached the remote area of Wolayto only in 1928. Nine years later, there were only 48 converts, and they experienced brutal persecution because of their faith. Tears flowed on both ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dressed For Success Series

Contributed by Douglas Dudley on Jul 25, 2005

THE APOSTLE PAUL TELLS THE CHRISTIANS AT COLOSSAE HOW TO DRESS FOR SUCCESS. THERE ARE THINGS TO PUT ON AND THINGS TO TAKE OFF.

Dress for Success: Things to Take Off and Things to Put On Text: Colossians 3:1-15 Introduction. Clothes are very important to us, and it’s very evident when we look at our economy. If we understand how many billions of dollars are spent each year on making, selling, and buying clothes, the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God, Lift Up My Face, And Help! (Psalm 3:1-8) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 13, 2022

God used to do great things. But will He do those things for you? Is there salvation/rescue in God, now?

Today we continue our sporadic study of the psalms, by reading Psalm 3. Psalm 3 begins with a heading, that gives us a framework for understanding it. This is a psalm composed by King David, while he was fleeing from his son Absalom. But, this is also a psalm that became part of Israel's ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 38:17, Psalm 3:1-8

The Fruit Of The Spirit- Joy. Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on May 29, 2008

Joy is a great thing to have.

INTRODUCTION • SLIDE #1 • Have you ever been around a person who no matter what is going on around them, seem to be calm and peaceful? • These people seem to have something that is special about them. • As you look at them, you wish that you could deal with life’s problems with the same ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Never Surrender Series

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Oct 12, 2019

While there are many things we need to surrender to God, there are some things that we should never surrender.

It’s almost a dirty word. One that nobody wants to use, and certainly not a word that anybody wants to be identified with. In today’s culture of shame, you can probably think of any number of words that fall in that category, and that society has taken to referring to by their first letter, as ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:4-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

Heroes Of The Bible: Ruth Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Feb 24, 2022

The Bible is full of heroes! They don't wear spandex or fly around in capes and cowls, but God empowered these heroes and heroines to accomplish some pretty amazing feats that can inspire us to become heroes of God ourselves. Our next hero is Ruth. (Alliterated Outline, PowerPoint Available)

Heroes of the Bible: Ruth Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 8/15/2021 NOTE: This sermon was adapted from my book, Holy Heroes of the Bible. If it's a blessing to you, please consider buying the book which includes chapters/sermons on 17 additional Bible heroes: ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

"The Healthy Christian"

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Aug 9, 2012

For things a healthy Christian does.

“The Healthy Christian” August 9, 2012 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

Denomination: Holiness